Sunday, 17 January 2010

"Last year I said, 'I'm going to quit, I'm going to go and have a baby and make a [documentary] movie,'" MIA told Rolling Stone, "and here I am." Two years after the release of Kala, the London-born MC is putting the finishing touches on an as yet untitled record, something Diplo described as "[rapper] Gucci Mane meets Animal Collective".

I read this article 'Is Elinor Carucci right to turn the camera on her children?'http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/jan/11/elinor-carucci-children-photography mainly because I remember being interested in her photographs in 2006 when I first got into Art etc.
Her photos are generally of her family and herself in various emotional states, often naked. A very close intimate family is not something you see everyday, but these photos suggest there is nothing wrong with it.

"Carucci's photographs ask many questions about the nature of family life and its often-overlooked intimacies, but they ask far more about photography. Carucci's parents have the power of veto over the photographs she takes of them. Her children, however, do not. In an interview on Radio 4's Woman's Hour last week, Carucci acknowledged that her children may grow up to resent her portrayals of them. "They might be angry with me and I'm ready for that," she said. Does that make it all right?"

To me the article seems to be hinting around the danger of misuse of these photos (and similar photographers of children, Sally Mann) for 'pedophilia'. It's trying to suggest that people may find these photos - what I see as honest portrayals of childhood and family interaction - as uncomfortable or unsuitable to share with the public.

But then what about Facebook? I thoughtlessly upload my personal photos, and I don't really know who I'm trying to please with them other than those in the images. I forget though, how many people have access to my photos. But does that make any difference? It worries me how much we all share with one another, and who is seeing my updates, mood swings etc.

Photos such as these should be equally respected and congratulated as any other genre in photography. Excuse my bad articulation, but what I mean is I don't want my generation or the next to associate photos like these with pedophilia and banish them. They are beautiful honest portrayals of childhood.

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

"The Burble is a massive structure reaching up towards the sky, composed of approximately 1000 extra-large helium balloons each of which contains microcontrollers and LEDs that create spectacular patterns of light across the surface of the structure.

The public, both audience and performer, come together to control this immense rippling, glowing, bustling 'Burble' that sways in the evening sky, in response to movements of the long articulated interactive handle bar at the base of the structure."

I guess I thought about it because I remember being quite a difficult madam on those trekking days and I've been like that this week in London...not really a delightful person to be with.

I love the album because it is made of beautiful brutally honest songs.

Waiting For The Beat To Kick In spotify:track:4Gee04TrI33OYtuadSKbHN really shaked me and gave me a mirror view of myself. I felt like I was being told something most people daren't say to your face.

"How hard is it to decide to be in a good mood, and then just be in a good mood... you control your emotions its as simple as that."

"In this life you can be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. For years I was smart I recommend pleasant...The rewards of being pleasant are more incandescent."

and this really struck a chord...

"You don't achieve anything by letting the past dwell within you, gettin all pent up and angry about stuff just eats away inside you. If you can't forgive and forget hows this, forget forgiving and just accept then that's it. See that's how its got to be so you can fall in love get on with your life and be free."

It's been over a year since I first heard that song, and I understand it much better now.